Post for walls



3,152,672 Y j .POST FOR WALLS "Rapids, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to

`Pennsylvania Filed Octf. 1 6, 1959, Ser. No. 846,848 3 claims. (ci. 139-41) t This invention relates to a structural beam assembly andrnore particularly to a structural beaml used in the l*formation of partitions.

'Thereisa growing need for vstructural members which can be used vto assemble readily a partitionwall and that can-be readily disassembled to allow moving of the partition. This s particularly true with the modern office i `building and alsoapplies .to the modern home. Such Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a vcorporationofv United States Patent O ice Patented oct. 13, 1964 l '-H-shaped in cross sectional configuration and Vhaving a first leg 21 anda second leg 22- which are tied together i Simon W. Oppenhuizenand Gordon Jack Cooper, Grand t if at their approximate geometric centers by a cross tie 23.

The cross tie 23 has av ferrule 28 formed therein. The ferrulc 28 of the cross tie 23 has -apertures 59 positioned 4at equally spaced intervals throughout Athe lengthof the 'i column v1l.

'The ferrule 23 the cross tie23. also provides echannel Afor countersinking the. heads of the fasteners 15,

structural members must not only be versatile as to asi I sembly anddisassernbly but must also have a neat appearance and .provide a 'partition capableof standingpermaf The structural beaindisclosed herein is designed to be described.

meet'all of the above requirements and is adapted for use with a partition or wall formed from panels.- It is, therefore, an object of this invention to disclose a structural beam used inthe construction of panel type partitions. It is va 'further object of this vinvention to disclose a structural beam ywhich isadjustable to variationsin the panel thickness.

l Still another object of thisl invention is a structural l ;.beam which is a severablexftwo. p iece unit having one4 piece orcolumn which can be erectedas a panel stop and locator before installation vof the second or locking section. A further'r object is to disclose a structural beam for t g Suse with partitions which can be erected withoutthe use A- still'further object of this invention is todisclose a structural beam which covers minor damages that may occur to the edges of the panels.

'- r ---Anotherrobjcc't is to vdisclose a structural beam which is separable, having'rneans which conceal the fact that making them flush with the surface of the cross tie23.

Secured'to each of the'legsf-Zl and 22, respectively, are first and second flange faces 24`and= 25. The flange faces 24 and 25 extend transversely or normally both outwardly 'and inwardly from the legs 21. and 22. The outward The flange 25v is finished n a similar manner, an underi cut keyway 27 also appearing in the opposite surface of flange 25. t

The column 12v is positioned directly opposite the columnll and is aligned therewith. The column 12 is also an elongated member having 'a generally H-shaped cross section configuration. It has a first offset leg 31 -and a second offset leg l32. The offset legs 31`and 32 are tied togetherat their approximate geometric centers by cross tie 35. Offset legs31 and 32 are offset inwardly or towardeach other, a dimension equal `to the thickness v[of legs 21v and 22 of column 11. This'allows the offset the thickness of legs 21 and 22.`

fasteners are used to join the sparablemembers together.;

. A still further object of this invention isto disclose a' structural beam vwhichis adaptable to beused for supporting partition and curtain wall panels of various types and.

Characteristics.-

These and other objects `and advantages in the practice Y v of this'invention will be' more apparent inthe illustration and description of a working embodimentof the invenr tion'as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawingsiv FIG. 1 isa fragmentary perspective view of the struc- ;tur'al beam'ass'mbly;

r FIG. 2 isaperspective view ofthes'tructural beam assembly being used to support a glass panel;

FIG. 3` `is a'perspective view-of the' floor anchor for the' str uctural beam;

FIG-.n4 is a plan view.' ofthe structural beam assembly i. 'f with a door jamb attached to it.l

The structuralrbeam assembly 10 consists of `separable.- vcolumn members 11 and 12 which are secured together by fasteners 15 and nuts 16. The structural beam 10 is .anchored into position by an anchor assembly such as 60 (FIG. 3). The columnsll and 12 are adapted to position, support and, in effect, j oin togetherthe side edges .of panels such as 13 and.13a.

`[ Referring specifically to FIG. l, the structural beam assembly is designated generally as 10. The structural beam assembly 410 is composed of separable columns 11 and 12, normally aluminum extrusions.

The column l1 is an elongated member being generally 21 and 22.

thereto. times that of the inward extensions. The inward extenportion of legs 31and 32 to fit telescopically between legs When columns 11 and 12 are telescopically intertted, they offer a flush surfaceto the edges of panels 13 and'13a due to the. fact that legs 31 and 32 are offset Flanges 33 and 3 4 are secured tothe respective offset legs 3l'and 32. The flanges 33 and 34 yare disposed transversely orv normally with respect to the legs 31 and 32, extending-both inwardly and Joutwardly with respect The outward extensionsv are approximately four sions of the flanges in combination with the cross tie 35 and portions of legs 31 and 32 together form a channel l30 for purposes hereinafter to be described. 33 has a finished surface which is presented to the viewer The flange and an oppositesurface which contains an undercut keyway 39..the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Likewise, flange 34 has a finished surface and an opposite surface containing an undercut keyway 38, in the outwardly projecting portion of the flange.

The ends of the offset legs 31 and 32, opposite the ends having the flanges 33 and 34, are provided with inwardly extending ribsv36 and 37. The ribs 36 and 37 are spaced l apart a sufficient distance to allow the narrow dimension l of a rectangular nut 16 to pass therebetween.- The purpose of the ribs 36 and 37 is to act as a stop means for the nut 16. The nut 16 is passed through the space between the ribs36 and 37 widthwise and rotated, making the greater dimension of the-nut 16 assume a crosswise position with respect to the ribs. The length of the nut is Such that the ribs win limit its rotation. Thereafter, j

the ribs act as stop members, preventing the withdrawal of the nut 16. Thus, when a fastener 15 is inserted through the aperture 59 in ferrule 28, and a nut 16 v threaded'thereupon is passed widthwise between the ribs 36 and'37, turning of the fastener 15 will cause the nut j to assume acrosswise position andthe columns v11 and 12 can be drawn into telescoping relationship.

The channel 30v formed between the cross tie.35 `and.

the-.inwardlydispsed extensions :of anges 33 and 34 is provided with an insert or feature strip 14, `as shown .in IFJ'G.y 1. -In ycolu'i'nn 11, the channel 29 formed between cross tie 23 and the inward extensions of flanges 24 and 25 lis valso provided with a yfeature strip or insert (not shown).- These'inserts cover the heads of :the fasteners '1'5'incolumn'1'1 andthe metalin column 12, and present an attractive andneat appearance to the viewer. Also, different colored strips can be inserted .in the channel for different decorative etects.` l

flares outwardlyirom the shoulder .57 toengage the hey 55.l vThe blind stop-strips are somewhat resilient Adue to their lopen construction. The resiliency of the blind strip o in combination with the shoulder provides lan important .feature in that'the strips can -be used to clamp into positions materials `such as k47fvarying in thickness from "As" to 2%; of .ani inch. Toposit'ion 'andc'lamp' thejthicker: materials "the stripsA 48, I 1 and 52 are positioned asshownf in FIG. 2. However, izo-position and clamp 'the thinner .material theastrips are reversed to their 'F.IG. ,2 position so :that finger 50 lof strip 52 `will occupy the position that `The :structuralbeaxn assembly is anchoredinto posivt'ionwby structural beamanchor assembly 60, best shown in HG. s.

The anchor assembly 60'. is generally U-shaped and has lplates 61 `and 6 2 which .are ltied together at "the bottom ,by lweb A63. A threadedlfastener, such as '64, is anchored yto thefiloor, :eiring or to some member tol which vit is' desirable to secure Vthe structural beam. `"The threaded .fastener extends through a' centrally-`=located aperture-'in .aligned .oppositely disposed rectangularly shaped backing nger49rnow has.. Thisrcauses the shoulder v57 to extend over vthe land 56 and reduce the effective width thereof.

The strip 51 kcan also remain. in the FIG. 2 positionk to l accept material of intermediate thickness.- The resiliencyl of Ithe strips .themselveswill adjust `for small variations in thickness. y

FIG. 4 shows a means whereby vthe structural beam assembly 10 `can ybe adapted to support a door jamb generally '80. t

l The dooriamb is generally' a U-shaped member having abottorn l85 and. transversely extending offset arms 81 and 82. The ofsetportions of .arms f81 and82 yare the web '63 rand through a .clamping plate 65 which is positioned betweenthe :plates '61 and 62, and atop the `web .-631 A nut 68 is thenused to .secure the structural beam anchor assembly 60 in position. 'T-shaped stabilizer blocks -66 and `67 are ysecured to the plates 6 1and'62, respectively, by .some well-known means. The .Stabilizer blocks 66 .and 67 are-in aiignment with yeach other and disposed onthe opposite inside faces of blocks '66and v67 zare dimensioned iso that the channels 29 and .formed in columns `11 and 12,-respectively, 'will .slide over `the stabilizer "blocks 66 and 67 and 'be locked in position thereby.'

' FIG..l 3 s'hows the web member l15?: as a solid member.

I'fo'weve'r, .within :the broader .scope of this invention',the member `tcan be made adjustable to correspond with the telescopingadjustment of columns 11 and 12 of the struc.-

tural/beam.v

lprovided with. keys 83 and 84, respectively. The keys 83.

and 84 engage the keyways 38 and 27, respectively, of

'the columns l2'andt11. The arms 81 and v82 are offset a dimension which `corresponds with the thickness dimerb .the :anchor assembly plates -61 and 62. The stabilizer".

sion vof flanges 34 and 25. Thus, a portion of the arms 81 and 182 will appear ush with the `faces -of flanges '34 vand Thezo'lset leg 82 is extended beyond the bottom 83 of the jamb l80 and forms an'abutment 86. The abutment f 86 has an undercut longitudinally extending keyway' '87 .FIG. 2 shows-the structural beam assembly ld-supporting a'transversely disposed beam 53.. The beam :53 mayy be secured to the structural beam assembly 10 by providing the end Iof the beam l'53 with a projection 'bear-ing jkeys (not shown) which will .engage the .keyways 27 :and

formed `therein. The keyway 87 is adapted to receive a stopystrip '88 which has a flared portion adapted to snap vinto the keyway -87. The stop stripv88'can be made of a resilient material, such as rubber, and fused to cushion and seala door, such as 89. l

Assembly f I.It is to be understood that the columns ll'and 12 of the structural beam assembly 10 can be cut to any desired length for use with a partition'that will extend only a fraction Yof the distance between the floor and ceiling, vor which may extend the full distance between the oor and ceiling. Likewise, the components used .with the sioned'sothat the outer surface `thereof appears flush withfthe edges of outwardly extending ilanges 25 .and 34.

The 'outersurface ofi-the structural panel 41 4is provided I withparallel spaced longitudinallyl extending undercut keyways 44 an`d 45. A land 46 .remains ori-.the bottom of the .structural panel 41 vbetween-fthe keyways-M and 4S. frfpartitionmember47, 'such as a piece of glassyabuts against kthe land 46 and `is .carried by theland 56.

Blind .stop-strips, A such lsf48, S1 .and 5 2, engage 'the respective 'keyways 45, 54. 'and-5S, holding the partition member -47 in position. The strips :contain lingers 49 `and 49 A and 550 are .outwardly in lopposite ldirections land snap `irl-to the undercut ofthe keyway, 'such yas '50. Thus, it

can 'be seen that strips such `as 5l and 52 disposed -in the" structural beam 4assembly 1-0, shown yin FIGS. 2 and 4, can be cut to any length necessary to meet the need.

For illustrative purposes, we will assume .that a partition'is tobe assembled which will extend half-way lbe` tween `the door and ceiling, since .essentially the same asl sembly procedure would be used for any .typeof partition.

A partition line `is laid out -on .the oor and fasteners, such as 64,'.are placed along `the line at intervals .determined by the vwidth .of the panels being used. Structural beam :anchor assemblies, such as l60, are `then fitted :onto

the fasteners 64 and secured into vposition by means such.

.It is to be understood that the structural beam kas nuts 68. anchor assemblies 60 could also be .secured to the door by means such .as .a lag screw, or any othersuitable means.

When the lstructural beam anchor assemblies are in position, a ycolumn 12 vof the desired length, this-length usually being the height lof vthe panel', Ais seated over the stabilizer block 66. The channel l30 :formed therein engagesthe Fr-shaped stabilizer block 66 umn 12 linto position.

Panels 13 :and 13a are then Ipositioned lso that they abut` the-.anges 33 and .34 `and also abut against 'the offset legs `keyvvays'd and l55, respectively, .Will sandwichthe partition 'lfand maintain it in position `on the land 56.

. fThe blind stop strips suchv as 48,' 51 and 52 .are genergally rectangular 'in' 'shape and have a shoulder `57 which extends Iinwardly as shown on 'stop 52. The .linger .'50

.31 l.and 32.

Fasteners .1`5 are .then placed in apertures 59 of .column l1 and :nuts 16 are started on the fasteners. The'nuts V1.6

are positioned lso that the width dimension thereof Awill pass between the ribs 3.6 and 37 on column 12. The co1- vumn 11 islt-hen placed Iin telescoping position on the column 1'2, -the nuts 16 passing 'between the ribs .36 and 37.

and locks `the ycol- 'lhc fastenerslS arethen d l 16, bei'flgj-Of a greater length than thc distance between ribs 36 and 37, will lock the column 1l to the column 12.

" ysiniilar insert placed given aquarter turn. The nuts The -column 1l is` then seated over t-he stabilizer block 331 and 25, `3ft. One end of the panelsl3 and`13a is now fin'xed position. The same procedure is repeated at .the '-fotlier-end of the 'panelsand continued until the" partition is complete..-

. `The insert-14 is now placed inthe -c'hannel and a in the channel v'29 and the assembly is' complete.

, Disassembly -of the partition may be accomplished by .reversing the previously described method of assembly.

, fl 4It can -be,-'seenl 'that the structural beam assembly dis-` closed-herein provides a versatile, simple and economical d arrangement forV partitions; It also provides for a parti?r tion which is neat'appearingand decorative;

` tween saidribs andthe cross tie ofsaid other column, d the spacing between said ribs being greater than the small dimension of said fasteningnut andsmaller than the large dimension of saidjfdastening nut, said fastening nut engaging said ribs as an axial stop andalso engagiglhc opposite snrl'z'icesofA said legs oll j said other column as a rotational stop; (lz) at least one metallic fastening screw projecting through the cross tie of s'aid one column and through engaging said fasteningnut to .hold-said columns towa'y means formed in the exposedlsurfaee thereof and a l partition supporting land formed. between said keyway Furthermore,l if a panel such as' 13 'is damaged or it is ie'si'rabl'eto replace it with panel having ldifferent char-v v `actei'istics, it is a simple matterto disassemble a pair of d structral beam` assemblies and replace the existing panel 'Whiley a preferredembodiment of thisv invention has v f been described, it will be .understood that other modifica- ,tions 'and `improvements may be made thereto. Such of these modifications and improvementsasincorporate the principles ofv this inventionare to be consideredl as ncluded in `the hereinafter' appended claims' unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

1; A suppdrt structure lfor partitions comprising: l

v (b) one ofsaid columns having legssecured.togetherproximateftothe center-'portions thereof by a cross` tie; v

-(c)` the other'ofsaid vcolumns having offset legs secured together proximate to the'center portions thereofbyacrosstie; 'A (d) partition securing flanges laterallyextending from (a)va'beamv "having two. separable, generally H-shaped Y Yhe outwardly extendingportionsof the legst of'said l column; u d v (e) the' inwardly extending portions ko f thelegs of said one column -telescoping over the inwardly extending A pbrtions of the offset legs of said' other column;

tions of said voffset legs;-A

` (f) elongated spaced ribsf'projecting toward each other from oppositefaces of the inwardly extending por-v (g) at least one Ametallic fasteningnutp'ositionedbemeans; and resilient blind stop stripsl are mounted in said lkeyway means, said blind stop strips adapted to clamp partitions of various thicknesses as placed on said. land.

3. Thesupport structure for partitions as specified n claim 1 wherein, said beam A'cooperates with an adjustable anchormeniber having a central portion adapted to be anchored to al oor andhaving at least a pair of spaced,

vertically extending backing members; and stabilizer blocks fastened to vsaidjbacling members, said stabilizer blocksshaped lto slidably engage said beam between the outwardly extending portions of the legs of said columns.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS y 1,667,534 Carpenter Apr. 24, 1928 1,676,266 Kearney July 10, 1928 2,015,447 Esser Sept. 24, 1935 2,020,502- Goddard Nov. 12, 1935 i' 2,102,247 Whelan Dec. 14, 1937 2,131,268- Boesy Sept. 27, 1938 12,504,701 Klantz A131118, 1950 A-2,765,057 Stiefvater..` Oct. 2, 1956 2,808,136 Hammitt etal. Oct., 1, 1957 l2,809,726 'Y Farquh'ar et al. Oct. 15, 1957 2,866,527 Schilling, Dec. 30, 1958 l2,914,145 Benson Nov. 24, 1959 2,916,108 Gartner Dec. 8, 1959 3,016,993 lOwel'l I Jan. 16, 1962 3,053,353 Miller v Sept. 11, 1962 d' I FOREIGN` PATENTS 281,053 Switzerland June 3, 1952 520,859 Canada Jan.' 17, 1956 l OTHER REFERENCES `German Printed Application 1,011,135 toKoller, 1957.

the spacing between said ribs,- said 'fastening screw 

1. A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR PARTITIONS COMPRISING: (A) A BEAM HAVING TWO SEPARABLE, GENERALLY H-SHAPED COLUMNS; (B) ONE OF SAID COLUMNS HAVING LEGS SECURED TOGETHER PROXIMATE TO THE CENTER PORTIONS THEREOF BY A CROSS TIE; (C) THE OTHER OF SAID COLUMNS HAVING OFFSET LEGS SECURED TOGETHER PROXIMATE TO THE CENTER PORTIONS THEREOF BY A CROSS TIE; (D) PARTITION SECURING FLANGES LATERALLY EXTENDING FROM THE OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF THE LEGS OF SAID COLUMN; (E) THE INWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF THE LEGS OF SAID ONE COLUMN TELESCOPING OVER THE INWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF THE OFFSET LEGS OF SAID OTHER COLUMN; (F) ELONGATED SPACED RIBS PROJECTING TOWARD EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE FACES OF THE INWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID OFFSET LEGS; (G) AT LEAST ONE METALLIC FASTENING NUT POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID RIBS AND THE CROSS TIE OF SAID OTHER COLUMN, THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID RIBS BEING GREATER THAN THE SMALL DIMENSION OF SAID FASTENING NUT AND SMALLER THAN THE LARGE DIMENSION OF SAID FASTENING NUT, SAID FASTENING NUT ENGAGING SAID RIBS AS AN AXIAL STOP AND ALSO ENGAGING THE OPPOSITE SURFACES OF SAID LEGS OF SAID OTHER COLUMN AS A ROTATIONAL STOP; (H) AT LEAST ONE METALLIC FASTENING SCREW PROJECTING THROUGH THE CROSS TIE OF SAID ONE COLUMN AND THROUGH THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID RIBS, SAID FASTENING SCREW ENGAGING SAID FASTENING NUT TO HOLD SAID COLUMNS TOGETHER; AND (I) INSERT STRIPS FITTING BETWEEN THE OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PORTION OF THE LEGS OF SAID COLUMNS. 